Get ready to cut the cord on gaming as we take a look at the best wireless GameCube controllers of the year!
The GameCube controller design is often voted the best of all time, and it’s not hard to see why. Everything just worked, and after the crazy set up of the N64 remote, it felt like a huge breath of fresh air.
(How many of you thought I was going to write ‘Breath of the Wild’ then?)
Nintendo are often cited as being the first company to have the top-left and bottom-right placing of analogue sticks that many of the best retro handhelds now use, a design that is still championed to this day on the Nintendo Switch.
So, knowing all that, there’s no surprise that this iconic styling can be found on controllers for the GC all the way up to the Switch.
Retro gamers are creatures of habit; we know what we like!
I’ve made a list of the 10 best wireless GameCube controllers of the year, with remotes designed to be used with the GC, Wii-U, Switch, Mac, and PC.
Though, it would be criminal to start this list with any other remote than the legendary…
Table of Contents
1. Nintendo WaveBird (GC)
2. PowerA Wireless GameCube Controller (Switch)
3. Exlene Wireless Gamecube Controller (Switch)
4. VTone Wireless Gamecube Controller (GC)
5. HORI Wireless Battle Pad (Switch)
6. Hyperkin ProCube (Wii U)
7. Falcon Wireless Controller For GameCube (GC)
8. Retro Fighters Duelist (Switch)
9. 8Bitdo Gbros. Wireless Adapter (Switch)
10. MadCatz Wireless GameCube Controller (GC)
1. Nintendo WaveBird (GC)
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If there’s one entry in this list of the best wireless GameCube controllers that sums up my teenage years, it’s the WaveBird.
I only had two of these growing up, so the race to grab one when playing with friends was intense, to say the least.
It was revolutionary too, being untethered to a Nintendo Console foe the first time ever, walking to the other side of the room and still being able to play!
Thanks to the RF receiver, I no longer had to sit squashed on the couch with friends. Although those same friends did move the dial on the receiver whenever I was winning, which is kind of a douchebag move.
The WaveBird uses AA batteries, is pretty chunky, and weighs more than the original remote, but man, is it a classic controller!
2. PowerA Wireless GameCube Controller (Switch)
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The PowerA Wireless GameCube Controller looks so similar to the original GC remote that it’s hard to tell them apart… apart from the lack of cable coming out of the top, of course.
Imbued with the holy power of Bluetooth 5.0, this controller gives you the light feel of the original remote with wireless capabilities, bringing old-school Nintendo vibes to the Switch
And, with motion controls built in, you can use all of the Pro Controller features with ease too.
Ok, so it’s a little easier to tell them apart thanks to the native Switch buttons; capture, home, +, & -.
Like the WaveBird, this controller runs of AA batteries, though you get a whopping 30 hours of gameplay from these. Grab some rechargeable batteries and be the greenest gamer around.
3. Exlene Wireless Gamecube Controller (Switch)
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The Exlene Wireless Gamecube Controller is another original GC pad copy that works on multiple platforms including PC and Mac.
And, it’s not just a good choice for Smash Bros gamers either. This can be used on all of the best Nintendo Switch games and comes with rumble, turbo, and super-sleek motion controls.
Exlene have an advantage over the PowerA with the fact that their controller comes with a rechargeable battery inside.
Just hook it up via the fast-charging USB-C cable, make a cup of tea, and then game to your hearts content!
4. VTone Wireless Gamecube Controller (GC)
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If you can’t get hold of a WaveBird for your GameCube but want the shape and feel, then this VTone Wireless Gamecube Controller two-pack will finally untether you and a friend and release you into the world of wireless play.
Like the WaveBird, these 2.4G wireless remotes use an RF signal to provide a play range of up to 10m. They feel a little smoother than the original, kind of like a controller that’s been worn down a little through overplay.
Still, the buttons and sticks are all mapped out in the same way as the WaveBird, and if you squint, you could be forgiven for thinking that they’re exactly the same!
Stick two batteries in, plug in the receiver, and away you go. And, if you’re not happy, you can get a full refund.
Result!
5. HORI Wireless Battle Pad (Switch)
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If you’re looking for an official Nintendo licensed controller, then get the HORI Wireless Battle Pad in your basket, pronto!
With 32-feet of playing range and 15 hours of game time from every charge, this controller not only looks the business, but works like a charm too.
Oh, and the fact that it has a Zelda crest on it certainly wins extra points too.
Unlike the original remote, the HORI battle pad comes with fast-action triggers and anti-snapback sticks.
Listen, Nintendo don’t put their name to any old rubbish, so you can play with confidence knowing that this remote won’t let you down.
6. Hyperkin ProCube (Wii U)
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We all loved the GameCube controller so much that there’s even one for the ill-fated Wii-U. Yes, the Hyperkin ProCube takes the iconic GC pad setup and puts it on something that closely resembles the Classic Controller Pro in shape.
Plus, who wants to use that massive gamepad when a GC remote is on offer, right?
As well as having a classic look that boasts wireless capabilities, this remote has all the necessary Wii-U native buttons, player indicators, and super-sleek triggers.
Plus, Hyperkin know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to making great retro gear. There’s a reason they always end up in our best HDMi cables lists, you know!
7. Falcon Wireless Controller For GameCube (GC)
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The Falcon Wireless Controller For GameCube is up next in our best wireless GameCube controllers list, another WaveBird copycat that gives gamers 8-hours of gameplay from a set of batteries.
I’ve mentioned them so many times now, so here’s our favourite rechargeable batteries for you to grab for all your gaming needs.
This controller works in exactly the same way as the other WaveBird copies, using an RF receiver to create a wireless signal across your living room.
The buttons are all the same colour, the sticks are in the same place, and you can always stick a Mushroom Kingdom sticker over the Old Skool logo for more classic Nintendo vibes.
8. Retro Fighters Duelist (Switch)
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Ah, so it’s time to bring out the big guns. The Retro Fighters Duelist could be one of the most sophisticated franken-controllers we’ve ever seen, combining the feel of a classic pro controller with all the GameCube feature that we know and love.
And its whole purpose is to make Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 10,000% better.
Thank of it as the GameCube controller that we all wanted and deserved while playing Super Smash Bros. Melee.
There are two new buttons on the Duelist controller – the S and Punch buttons
The S can be used to do smash attacks and short hops, and the punch button swaps and changes between the two actions.
And you might have noticed that the main action buttons, A and B, are now closer together, and that the A button is way bigger for all your button mashing needs.
With 30-feet of wireless connectivity and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery inside, this is the only way to play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch.
9. 8Bitdo Gbros. Wireless Adapter (Switch)
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Ok, so it’s not the only way. You could get this 8Bitdo Gbros. Wireless Adapter in order to use your original wired GameCube remotes for wireless play.
So there have been some lag issues noted with this product, but it still works and is a nifty little piece of kit that doesn’t cost the earth to buy.
And, it’s not just useful for playing Super Smash Bros either. This unit works with all your favourite Switch games and can also be used to hook up a GC remote to your PC!
It also comes in original GameCube purple; how much more homage do you want this thing to pay, for crying out loud!
10. MadCatz Wireless GameCube Controller (GC)
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And finally, we end our list of the best wireless GameCube controllers with the MadCatz Wireless GameCube Controller.
I’m not going to lie, this one is only in here because I didn’t want to do the 9 best wireless GameCube controllers.
Just look at it; this is a controller that you would only buy if all the others on this list have sold out or you worked for MadCatz back in the day.
It’s so offensive that it hurts my eyes… but, it is a wireless GameCube remote, and as a spare controller to keep in a cupboard for when your others run out of charge, I suppose it’s not the worst thing in the world… though it’s not far off.
The main plus points are that this remote is cheap to buy. It uses a dongle like the WaveBird but isn’t as heavy.
The downside; it’s a plastic monstrosity, but if it’s all you can afford or feel safe using while trying to quash your rage-quitting habits, then it’ll do the job.